The big cut

A couple months ago Emerson started asking to get her hair cut. I kept brushing it off because last time she got it cut she asked to have it cut long like Rapunzel. So I didn't think she had a good grasp on the consequences. But, she was persistent that she wanted it short. We have had it short before but honestly I was a worried that this desire for short hair would only last two days. Then she would be pretty upset she had chopped her locks. Well, Emerson isn't one to give up. After some timely advice from a friend that this was a way I could let my strong willed child make a decision we went for it. I made an appointment with our trusty gal. She gave Emerson her first bob 2 years ago and is good with her. I was thinking we would do shoulder length to have enough for a pony tail. In fact Emerson tried to persuade me to cut it by telling me she could still wear it up. Yes, she thought of everything. She hops in the chair and points her chin in the front and the nap of her neck. Big difference! I almost had a tiny heart attack. She knows what she wants that's for sure. 15 minutes later we had an adorable bob and a giddy little girl. It definitely fits her. She was very glad to look like Nannie!

Haven 10 to 11 months

Here is a long overdue update on Haven. Moments to sit down to blog are rare. But, as she approaches one I wanted to jot down what this little girl is like. I tried to capture a few pictures of her. I would really just call it snapshots. When you have a baby that rarely gets her picture taken, they could care less to smile at the camera. The grass was more appealing. So while I don't feel this captures her sweet grin it'll do. After a little drop in weight she is finally up to almost 16 lbs! Small, yes. But, still a big jump from where she was. She is super active now crawling on all fours. She just maneuvers through the whole house exploring and pulling things down. It makes me tired! Her favorite is unrolling the toilet paper. Haven has started dancing when she hears music. I had forgotten how sweet a baby dancing is. She gets up on her knees and bounces. Reminds me of a certain other little dancer we all know. 

"What is on my head?"

"Wait, that's cute. I'll put it back on."

Haven is a happy girl. She has the most infectious and joyous smile. Paired with an adorable giggle she lights up the room. She really loves people and smiles at everyone. Including animals. One of her quirks is eating everything. I've never had a baby so determined to put anything not nailed down in her mouth. Definitely keeps me on my toes. 

Leaf in the mouth. Case and point. 

She's definitely starting to make more jesters such as waving and clapping. As well as babbling a lot. She just started saying Mama and Da. But, most of the time she just says ba to everything and look at you like, "You know what I mean?" I have tried baby signing with her because she gets a little temperamental when she runs out of food. But, when I sign "more" she just giggles instead of repeating the sign. Ha. Can we talk about how much she eats. It is a mystery how she is so tiny because she can put down some food. In one sitting she could eat a whole banana, a half a pear, and cheerios! I could list all the foods she likes but really she likes everything. I'm very thankful to have a non-picky eater. It makes life just a little easier. 

Her model pose. When has she ever looked this serious in real life?!  Her hair is growing like crazy and now sticks up like a little duckling. 

Now, that's the funny girl I know. 

I hope to have her birth story put together before she turns one. Better late than never, right?

This is a way overdue post but summer got away from me. Here are pictures from Emerson's recital. She was sugar in Mary Poppins! We are so very proud of her. 

She totally rocked it this year and was really excited for the show. 

She was a smitten with Jane who danced with her class. See the ear to ear grin. Emerson really had an amazing time. When we picked her up she was bouncing off the walls and asked to go get a pizza. It was almost 10pm! I guess the adrenaline was running high.

Here she is at the rehearsal!

Haven 8 Months

Somehow this girl turned 8 months. What?!

She's pretty happy about it though. Isn't she the most scrumptious baby in the world?

These pictures were taken during our drooly phase. We now have two bottom teeth and two top ones almost through. 

So since the last update this gal become mobile. Sometime at the end of July she started pulling herself around. Official army crawler. She seems to be much happier that way, able to explore.

Her hair is coming in quickly. I think she has as much hair as Emerson did at a year and at this age Ezra was completely bald. 

She's babbling a lot and saying lots of ba sounds. 

Blowing bubbles is also fun.

"Hi there" 

Sometimes she throws her hand up in the air and I like to think she is waving. She also recently discovered clapping and of course it's adorable. You would think it would be old news to see a baby learn new things but still amazing.

Her profile

"Wait, who's there?"

"We have a dog?!?"

She has been super thrilled with Mia. She starts giggling when she sees her and now that she's mobile it's on.  She had a check up at 7 months and was 15lbs 6oz maybe and 26 inches. She really is such a delight. Happy, giggly and cuddly. Oh, and she likes to eat. A lot. She hasn't really said no to anything yet. Her fave right now is pears. The other day Emerson asked me, " Why does she always stop crying when you give her food?" Because she likes food a lot. Happy 8 months Haven!

Summer Time

Some summertime fun from a couple months ago that has been sitting waiting for captions. So I guess it's about time to publish since summer is almost gone!

Kung Fu anyone?

Officially a kindergartener

She's officially a kindergartener. After years of anticipation and 6 months of constantly asking when, the day arrived. We were all dressed, fed, and in the car by 7:45. It's a miracle. 

The pose on the left she said she was trying to look like a woman. Ummm, ok. Let's go with the natural pose.

We walked her in the first day and carried her weight in supplies. 

The escort to class. She was very eager and confident walking in. Immediately sat down and got to coloring. 

To celebrate her first day Ezra picked her up a cupcake. He was very excited to present her with a surprise.

Pink lemonade! Yum! 

Haven Elizabeth 6 months

I skipped over Haven’s 5 month update so here is a photo heavy post. Haven is just a delight to be around with her never ending supply of smiles. Her eyes light up and the happiness is infectious. She is starting to babble quite and a bit and enjoys hearing her own voice. We joke that she sounds like a little billy goat saying “baaaaa.”  She just started to roll over both ways. She doesn’t love to be on her tummy but now at least she’ll tolerate it. Before she would roll over and get stuck, leaving her very upset. Haven’s close to sitting up, but not really sturdy enough yet to pull it off on her own. Her hair is really starting to come in and it appears to be blonde and a wavy texture. It reminds me of what Ezra’s was as a baby. Although at this age he was bald. Haven’s favorite toy is Sophie. She also likes steal Emerson’s barbie dolls and chew their hair. The same way she likes to chew on my hair. She has a knack for ripping it out. In the last week or so she has realized that we have a dog. When Mia walks by she giggles at her and what else? She tries to pull her hair too. 

It's possible she could be the happiest baby in the world. On the flip side she can be the most dramatic. She can be screaming bloody murder and giggle one second after she's picked up. One of her favorite things that distracts her is to watch Emerson dance. She was an excellent supporter when she practiced for her recital. Although she also laughs when anyone else is crying. Her empathy hasn't kicked in quite yet.

Since she is the third child, she rarely gets "real" pictures. So when I pull out the camera she stares bewildered. It's a totally different expression and I can't seem to capture her adorable grin.

Whenever she is tired she loves to suck on her bottom lip

Grabby hands found the camera strap

Baby yawns

One of the major differences in Haven from the other two is this girl loves food. Emerson and Ezra could care less about food at 6 months. Haven on the other hand grabbed watermelon out of my hand and started eating it. It was a real subtle sign she was ready. Since then she has loved devouring fresh watermelon, bananas, avocado, sprite melon, and loves sweet potatoes. I let her taste an apple and it was her least favorite surprisingly. When we went to the soccer game she was relentless on trying to steal Ezra's hot dog. Slow down girly. She also has found a it a good idea to eat leaves from the garden. I'm not sure how that's appealing and apples aren't. 

Haven's also very stylish.

Here is Emerson at 6-7 months

Emerson

Big girl Haven. I let her borrow her brother's onesie since it was so cute. I added a pink headband for some feminity. Since everyone also comments how she looks like Emerson. Here is Ezra in the same onesie at 6 months. I see a lot of similarities when she smiles. Of course Ezra has a few pounds on her. Can we talk about how cute he was with his bald head?!